Friday, August 3, 2012

Whether it's your first baby or you've been out of the newborn world for a while, registering can get pretty overwhelming. With this in mind, we have put together a list to help you be as prepared as possible for the arrival of your little one.

Sunday, July 22, 2012

As your baby bump grows, you may be wondering how you're going to survive the hot summer months. Here are a few tips to help keep you cool and comfy while you beat the heat this summer.

Tip #1
Drink lots and lots of water. You want to be sure to drink at least 8-10 glasses a day. Unfortunately, you're probably already making lots of trips to the little girls room, but sipping water all day will help reduce swelling, pregnancy aches and other heat related complications.

Tip #2
Dress for the occasion. There are so many darling easy to wear dresses and prego shorts perfect for summer. A maternity tank top, light weight skirt and some comfy sandals are perfect for an outing in the heat.

Tip #3
Plan a "baby-moon" before your little one arrives. Take a weekend trip to somewhere cooler or get away and relax at the beach for a few days. Grab a good book, your bottled water and kick your feet up. Oh, and don't forget to pack your prenatal vitamins.

Tip #4
Don't skimp on the sunscreen. During pregnancy you have higher levels of estrogen , making you more susceptible to melasma (dark splotching of the skin). You will need to wear an SPF of at least 50 since studies show most of us don't use enough of the lower SPF to provide sufficient protection. A hat should also be worn for long stretches of sun exposure.

Tip #5
Give your bump a dunk. Spend some time in the pool relieving the pressure off of your back and joints while cooling down your core. Gentle swimming or wading can be a refreshing and relaxing way to spend an afternoon. Don't forget to apply your water proof sunscreen.

Tip #6
Indulge yourself in some tasty cold treats. Frozen yogurt, smoothies, fruit Popsicles and cold watermelon are just a few low calorie ways to help keep the heat away. Shoot, even go for some real ice cream or a yummy snow cone when needed.

Tip #7
Stay in the shade or indoors when possible. Plan to stay in the air conditioning during the hottest times of the day (usually mid afternoon). Your body temp is extra hot with that baby on board and you want to avoid soaring outdoor temperatures which may increase your risk of heat exhaustion and dehydration.

Saturday, July 14, 2012

You may have given yourself a pat on it, asked someone to scratch it (while you've scratched theirs), or covered your best friend's. But most of us ignore a part of our bodies we really should be watching out for- our backs.

The pregnancy and post-partum stages of life bring about many challenges to your posterior, such as hormonal changes, altered gait and posture, low activity levels, new and difficult movements, and lack of rest.

When it's time to deliver your baby, you'll be thankful for high levels of the hormone relaxin, which cause your joints to loosen. But from the time you see two little blue lines until about 6 months after giving birth, relaxin creates an environment where it is easier to injure yourself. You can't reduce the amount of relaxin in your body, nor would you want to, but you can take other steps to lessen your chances of hurting your back.

3. Retire the cape. It may be tempting to help put together that new nursery furniture or pull gear out of the attic, but no task is greater than taking care of your body right now. Hand off the to-do list to someone else, and relax.

5. Our bodies conduct almost all repair operations while we're asleep. And yet, sleep is notoriously scarce for most mothers. As tempting as it may be to tackle some laundry or thank-you notes, you'll do the best for yourself and your baby if you make sleeping a priority, second only to water and food. It's that essential to your health.

6. Finally, consider visiting a chiropractor. Some are better trained and more experienced than others in caring for pregnant patients, as well as new mothers and their babies. Chiropractic care has become an important part of my family's healthy lifestyle.

Motherhood is an adventure which keeps us on our toes, and requires a strong back. Minding your spine will help you enjoy the journey with vigor.

This article was written by guest blogger Amanda Gilbreath. Amanda, a customer of Promise Prenatal Vitamins and Promise DHA says, "as the richest woman in the world, my treasures include my faith in Jesus Christ, husband, 3 children, and thesaurus. I write in the
slivers of time wedged between chunks of a blessed life."

Thursday, June 7, 2012

It's no secret eating healthy while trying to get pregnant and during pregnancy is important, but how do you know what's best for you and your growing baby inside? The foods you choose can effect fertility, as well as the long term health of your baby (recent studies have even shown that how you eat during pregnancy can decrease the chances of childhood obesity). Here is our list of the top 5 super foods to eat during preconception and pregnancy.

2. Salmon and other wild caught fish – Salmon is high in omega-3s and
healthy fatty acid, essential for brain development during pregnancy. Salmon also has
low amounts mercury, a compound that can be harmful to your
baby's developing nervous system. Good quality, pharmaceutical grade DHA (in capsule form) is also a great source of omega-3's if you can't find and eat enough quality fish.

3. Egg- Eggs are loaded with
protein and otheressential nutrients for pregnancy like vitamin E, healthy fats and
beta carotene. Be sure to include the yolk. Egg yolks are packed with choline,
which is good for brain development and helps in the prevention of neural tube defect.

4. Whole Grains and nuts- Whole grains and nuts are important in pre-conception and pregnancy because they're high in fiber
and nutrients, including vitamin E and selenium great for
healthy hair, skin and nails, especially during pregnancy.

5. Yogurt and cultured dairy- Yogurt is high in fat soluble vitamins like vitamin E, vitamin A and vitamin K. They’re highly important in supporting the brain and the
nervous system in baby's early development. Greek yogurt typically has twice the protein of regular yogurt and any kind of yogurt is a
great source of calcium. You’ll want to stay away from any
dairy that’s been ultra-pasteurized.

We also recommend taking a daily prenatal vitamin and a DHA supplement during pre-conception and pregnancy. Always check with your OBGYN and/or midwife before taking any supplement during pregnancy.

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Enjoying pregnancy and being ready for
childbirth may seem contradictory to some expecting moms. But learning how to
manage emotions and physical symptoms of pregnancy will help prepare her mind
and body for the journey she’s about to take. Some areas of health and personal
growth are especially worth taking a look at.

Staying OrganizedFor managing diet, ensuring prenatal vitamins
are taken, keeping track of doctor appointments, and all the tasks that accompany
a successful delivery, strong organization skills are a must. If being
organized is not mom's natural tendency, a few items will prove useful to help
her get there. A personal calendar can be helpful for keeping track of
appointments, while a larger wall calendar can mark important milestones. A
journal can be used to chart symptoms and as a means to vent frustrations and
worries before taking them to others. Electronic organizers often combine these
tools into one easy-to-carry device.

Staying RestedIt is unknown how many expectant mothers suffer
from insomnia, but researchers are aware that insomnia can cause
several problems
for mom and baby. Speaking with the doctor about sleep disturbances may uncover
potential causes and treatments, though there are a
number of things that can be tried at home. Ensuring that there is no light
present during sleeping hours is one way to increase the production of
melatonin, the hormone responsible for a good night's rest. Meditation and
exercise are also important means of increasing melatonin and quieting the
mind.

Natural Pain ReductionDelivery is frequently accompanied by pain
beyond the normal threshold. Though the body produces hormones during pregnancy
and labor to reduce this pain, it is still enough to leave mom begging for
relief. However, many moms are looking for alternative strategies. Meditation
and exercise have proven capable of increasing the tolerance for pain, and
there are classes available on the Bradley Method and other techniques for
reducing reliance on medications. Regardless of which route is chosen, it is
useful for every mom to become familiar with thepain relief strategiesavailable to her.

Much of the information and skills for healthy
childbirth are taught in pregnancy and childbirth classes. Taking this
opportunity to meet new moms and get information from the professionals is a
good use of time. Classes are also a great place to learn about optional
choices like cord bloodbanking, which is where the
baby’s umbilical cord blood is collected after birth and stored to be
potentially used in the treatment of a future medical condition.

The more mom-to-be learns and practices useful
pregnancy and birthing skills the more she’ll enjoy her pregnancy and the more
ready she’ll be for childbirth.

This
article was written by Katie Moore. Katie is an active writer within the
blogging community who discusses maternity, motherhood, prenatal health,
childbirth and other topics within this niche. If you have any questions
or would like to connect with Katie please contact by visiting her blog, Moore From Katie
or her twitter @moorekm26.

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Our passion is women's health.
Dedicated to innovation in women's healthcare, Biotegrity is a specialty pharmaceutical company focusing on pharmaceutical solutions that specifically address the needs
of women.